DENVER (CBS4/AP) – Former Tampa Bay Buccaneer and Denver Bronco John Lynch called last week’s game and really came away impressed with how the Broncos have improved since the beginning of the season.

“The Broncos lost to the three teams I have in front of them right now, but are a much better team now and I would like their chances versus all of them,” Lynch wrote after the game.

Lynch, who had a neck surgery during his NFL career, said he thinks it’s pretty remarkable Peyton Manning is playing so well coming off of four neck surgeries.

“I don’t think he’s getting enough credit for that part of it because doctors these days have a funny way of saying it’s a simple, easy surgery. There’s no simple, easy surgery; particularly when it’s up there,” Lynch said. “I know what he went through, it’s a waiting game for those nerves and things to heal up.”

Lynch said the good thing about Manning is that he continues to feel better each week.

“I remember going through that my first year back. Each week you felt a little bit better, and with that grows confidence,” he said. “I look at his numbers, and just numbers-wise they’re very comparable to his MVP seasons, which he’s had four of them. So it’s extremely impressive, what he’s doing.”

Lynch is also impressed with the Broncos’ defense.

“They’ve got some special players, first and foremost,” he said. “Watching Von Miller, I was amazed with him last year. He’s taken a big leap this year. You’re talking about one of the great players in this league … he makes an impact on each and every game that he plays in.”

He said everyone wants to focus on Champ Bailey and the step that he’s lost. Lynch doesn’t see it that way.

“I’d take Champ Bailey, where he’s at now, over 99 percent of the corners and defensive players in this league … he’s in that category.”

Here are a few other comments about the Broncos from members of the national media:

Clifton Brown (Sporting News, 3) – Peyton Manning’s first season as a Bronco is going just fine.

Rich Gannon (CBS Sports/SiriusXM NFL Radio, 3) – A top 3 defense and a QB who’s having an MVP-type season – not a bad combination.

Bob Glauber (Newsday, 4) – Broncos clinch the division behind the second-most popular quarterback in team history, the one brought in by the most popular. Congratulations to Peyton Manning and John Elway. Well earned.

Rick Gosselin (Dallas Morning News, 3) – The two most balanced teams in the NFL are the Texans and Broncos. They are the only teams that rank in the top 10 in both offense and defense.

Clark Judge (CBSSports.com, 3) – They can run. They can play defense. They have Peyton Manning. And they can’t lose. Yeah, I’d say the Broncos are complete.

Ira Kaufman (Tampa Tribune, 4) – Peyton Manning: As good as he ever was, maybe as good as there’s ever been.

Pat Kirwan (SiriusXM NFL Radio/CBSSports.com, 4) – They may be the most complete team if Knowshon Moreno can keep getting better as a runner. The pass rush is a problem for any team in the NFL.

Alex Marvez (Foxsports.com, 3) – Yeah, that Peyton Manning signing worked out all right. The Broncos have already clinched the AFC West.

Dan Pompei (Chicago Tribune, 2) – As if having Peyton Manning doesn’t give them enough of an offensive advantage, now they have Mitch Unrein, too.